I have made some great friends
I am now attending Oxford Brookes University in Oxford, UK doing a masters in International Studies (International Relations). Initially I chose this school because of its location in Oxford but since coming here the program is well rounded to provide different opportunities after graduation. Having visited Oxford before, the city was one of the biggest factors to move here. It is big enough to do some exploring in your spare time but nothing is ever too far away. Oxford has a good mix of being very historical and traditional but with all the students there are always new things going on.
The cost of living is a little more expensive from home (Ontario, Canada) but there are always things to do and see that are both interesting and free. Living in university accommodations made the transition of moving here and settling into the university almost stress-free. The wardens of the halls were extremely helpful and having the first week to take in your new surroundings made it that much easier. While classes keep you fairly busy, there are many activities that could keep you involved, give you a break from work and allow you to make new friends. For me personally, I have joined a salsa dancing group but more casually I enjoy walking through the Oxford University Parks or even the city centre in general.
Taking this time to relax and do something you enjoy or even something new is one piece of advice I would give to a new student coming to Brookes, or even Oxford in general. As important as it is to keep on top of your work, having some time to unwind is essential especially if you are living in accommodations where the rooms are not very big. One other thing I would say is to talk to and get to know your tutors. Especially at Brookes, they are very approachable, helpful and happy to talk to you no matter what is going on.
Since I have been here, I have made some great friends and we have done some travelling together. London is a quick, easy and, as a student, fairly cheap bus or train ride for a day or weekend in one of the most famous cities in the world that I have done often. Over the Christmas Break I was joined by 3 new friend who went on a 3 week vacation to Spain, the French Riviera, and Italy. Being in the International Studies MA also allowed me to participate in a trip to Brussels and The Hague for a few days seeing sights like the EU Parliament and the International Criminal Court. I also have some upcoming plans to travel to Poland and Prague during the Easter Break and to Greece at the beginning of the summer before my dissertation takes up all my time.
I had a fabulous experience with Across the Pond. My advisor was very helpful right from the start, recommending Universities and programs that would be suited to me, all the way through helping with my visa and answering question that both my parents and I had. One of the best aspects of working with Across the Pond were the quick responses I received to questions and the role my advisor played in communicating with the universities regarding things like application submissions and acceptance requirements.
- Gabriella
High Quality Education
Choosing to pursue further education is a big decision in and of itself, regardless of whether or not one also plans to pursue this education abroad. Without guidance it can be especially nerve-wracking to rely solely on your own understanding of the UK education system, the application processes, and the various reputations of its many universities. I am really glad that I came by Across the Pond before I embarked on the application process. Not only was their initial response to my queries expedient and informative but this rapport continued throughout my application and pre-departure process. My advisor was very helpful from providing feedback on my personal statement to explaining parts of the application process or education system that I did not fully understand. I found the information sent regarding visa applications and pre-departure considerations to also be of great convenience in the hectic months prior to my departure.
I am really pleased with the breadth of universities that Across the Pond represents, specifically the high proportion of those in the Russell Group. Studying law in the United Kingdom has far exceeded my expectations and I attribute that to the detailed information Across the Pond provides about their partner institutions. A UK law degree may seem like an unconventional route for Canadian students, however, with the proper guidance and research it will definitely be a rewarding experience. The quality of education and the high calibre of instruction here has served to reaffirm my choice in choosing to study law in the UK. For students looking to pursue the Graduate Entry (Senior Status) law programs I would strongly recommend thinking about whether you want to practice in the UK or gain accreditation in Canada as this will save you a lot of time and help to maximise your experience in the UK.
As well, living in right in central London has also been an unparalleled experience. There is plenty of extra-curricular activities for students both academic and non-academic. And while London does tend to have similar price-tags to other big cities there are always budget-friendly alternatives regardless of one's interests.
In all, I am extremely thankful for all the help and guidance Across the Pond has provided and I would strongly recommend their services to anyone considering to pursue further education in the United Kingdom.
- Julia
The faculty have shown interest in my success
I am very passionate about Archaeology, and in order to continue pursuing my research interests I decided to get a postgraduate degree.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR COURSE AND THE SUBJECT YOU ARE STUDYING?
I love how hands-on the coursework is and the fact that we don’t just read and talk about methods. We actually learn how to execute them properly.
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD?
The diverse research interests of the professors, especially those of my advisor, and the city itself.
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO STUDY IN THE UK?
The culture of graduate/postgraduate study outside of the US is very different, and I’ve found the change to be very positive.
WHICH SCHOLARSHIP HAVE YOU BEEN AWARDED?
The International Merit Postgraduate Scholarship
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A POSTGRADUATE STUDENT IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY?
It’s fantastic! My professors are all very engaged and excited to teach; plus being a postgraduate student makes everything more personal, and you really get to know everyone. I’ve also made a lot of great friends!
WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO WHEN YOU FINISH YOUR DEGREE AT SHEFFIELD?
I plan to pursue work in the field for a year or two while I decide what specific subject I would like to study for my PhD.
HOW HAS THE DEPARTMENT AND/OR UNIVERSITY HELPED YOU TO WORK TOWARDS REACHING YOUR GOALS AFTER GRADUATION?
I’ve been given so much advice and encouragement, and the faculty here has shown a great interest in my future success.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT LIVING IN SHEFFIELD?
I love the city itself, especially because it’s so pedestrian-friendly. I also love how dedicated Sheffield is to the arts. The accessibility to local history is very exciting.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT THING TO GET USED TO WHILST LIVING IN A DIFFERENT COUNTRY?
Missing friends and family back home.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS FROM YOUR HOME COUNTRY THINKING ABOUT STUDYING A POSTGRADUATE COURSE IN ARCHAEOLOGY AT SHEFFIELD?
Don’t be afraid! While things may take time to become accustomed to, there will always be people to help, and you’ll make amazing friends here. Additionally, this is a world-renowned department with friendly and engaged faculty. Studying here will be very advantageous to your future career.
- Rhianna
The most fun and exciting times of my life
Describing my university experience in the United Kingdom is a difficult task, as it has honestly been one of the most fun and exciting times of my life. I heartily recommend this experience to anyone who is thinking about a Master's, as living and studying in a new country allows you to not only explore new cultures, but also appreciate home more. At the beginning of my experience, settling into the university was a lot easier than expected. I live in university accommodation so everyone I met was in a similar situation of being in a new city (or country) and of knowing no one, we all became fast friends. The university offered services and a welcome package to help me every step of the way; it was an exciting time and while it was a little scary coming to a university in a new country I was able to settle in and become comfortable here in no time.
As a student of medieval archaeology, I chose University of Sheffield because of its amazing archaeology department and the comprehensive courses offered. The quality and direction of the education I was going to be receiving was the most important factor in my decision to choose Sheffield University, and it has since proven to be a good choice.
Sheffield is an interesting city. It was originally very industrial and has since transitioned into a very hip and welcoming place to live. There is always something to do, either in the city centre or in the peak district, and it is small enough that I feel very comfortable moving about and yet large enough to host any number of events and festivals. That being said, the cost of living is much greater in the United Kingdom simply because the pound is stronger than the Canadian dollar. This has impacted my lifestyle in certain ways; I eat out much less and I don’t spend as much on things I want. I tend to put any extra I have into travelling the county, something I do quite often! At the beginning of the year, when I had less coursework, I would visit one city in the surrounding area every weekend, exploring the country and having small adventures. The British transit system is amazingly easy to navigate and there are few places you cannot get to. Cities like Manchester and York have become regular destinations, and from Sheffield I have been able to travel to London, Edinburgh, and even Paris at very little expense. I would definitely recommend a rail pass!
Without Across the Pond, I don’t think I would have had the courage to apply for my Master's in the United Kingdom. It was such a daunting task, and having someone who understood the process and who was there to support me in my academic endeavours was an invaluable resource, making my experience applying for my Master's much less stressful and intimidating than it otherwise would have been.
- Hilary
I was drawn in by the variety
One of the things that drew me to UK education was the opportunity to focus only on my chosen course. In the US, there are a lot of general courses required in various subjects, but I was interested in a more focused university structure. In addition, I was drawn in by the variety of courses and modules available. I ended up being able to study Philosophy and Politics in equal weight rather than having to choose just one. The deciding factor, however, ended up being the price and time.
University in the US is not only a year longer than university here in the UK, but it can also be much more expensive. I was able to get an international student scholarship here at Sheffield which made university much more affordable than anywhere I could've gone (besides my local state school) in the US.
HOW DID YOU FIND THE APPLICATION PROCESS?
I applied to thirteen universities in the US and I can say that the UK application process was SO MUCH easier than it is in the US. I ended up using UCAS to apply to five universities here and there were a few noteworthy (positive) differences:
- I only had to write one essay for all five schools
- I paid 25 pounds to apply as opposed to the $20-60 per application in the US
- Information on courses/classes was easily available for me to view, which made it much easier to choose which programs to apply to
I would say the biggest difference, besides it being a much simpler process, is that there's a bigger focus on academics and drive in the application process here. The universities don't care too much about your life story and/or activities; they'd rather hear about why you're choosing your course and what you want to do with it, which for me was a relief, but is something to keep in mind when writing your UCAS essay.
WHAT DID YOU FIND THE HARDEST THING TO LEAVE BEHIND WHEN YOU MOVED TO THE UK?
Most definitely my family and friends (but I think that's something everyone experiences when going to college, it's just amplified here because you're further away). The biggest challenge was meeting people and adjusting to cultural differences. Luckily, most universities have activities and clubs to join, which can help with making friends and feeling at home in a new country, and a lot of the cultural differences include fun things like going to chip shops + dancing at the clubs. It gets easier as you go on, and it's most definitely rewarding.
IF YOU WERE A COUNSELOR ADVISING YOURSELF, WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO SHARE WITH THE YOUNGER YOU?
I would tell myself not to go in with crazy expectations, not because they can't/won't be fulfilled, but because it's just better to allow things to happen however they are going to happen. I've found I'm a lot happier when I just live without worrying about or comparing my experience to the experiences of others. I'd also tell myself to join more societies and go participate in group activities because I ended up doing more of that second semester and while it did still help me make friends, if I'd done it sooner I may have met more people at the beginning. Last but not least, enjoy every moment and don't be scared to put yourself out there. It will be a little hard at first but you'll be glad you did, it's a lot better than sitting around and wondering what you're missing out on back at home.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF?
I've learned that I'm a lot stronger and more capable than I thought I was. I feel more self-assured and confident in my independence because if I can go to university 5,000 miles away from everything I know, I can do anything. I've also learned a lot about my academic interests. The wide variety of courses has allowed me to explore what I enjoy doing and may want to pursue in the future.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS POST-STUDY AND HAVE THEY CHANGED?
I've actually recently started thinking about going to law school after uni, which is definitely not what I had planned when I first got here, partially because I didn't really have a plan. Lots of people told me studying Humanities wasn't worth it or that it wouldn't lead directly to a job. However, my classes have really helped me explore all my interests and build on what I already knew I enjoyed, and the curriculum really focuses on how different areas of study and work intersect which is why I feel capable of going on to do law with my degree. What's most important, is that I chose to study something I was passionate about despite the uncertainty of what it could lead to, and I wouldn't have done it any other way.
SHARE YOUR TOP MEMORY FOR YOUR TIME THUS FAR?
Last year, I went to an Arctic Monkeys night at a local club with one of my flatmates who was also an international student. This was incredible because it was an entire night dedicated to dancing to Arctic Monkeys music. We stayed out all night and had an amazing time, and it was completely different from anything I'd ever experienced in the US. Afterward, we went and got chips at a chip shop nearby (we really immersed ourselves in the culture), and then we went home and crashed. It was definitely a stereotypical British night out, but I really felt like part of the community. It was a great way to make friends and unwind after a long week of uni.
- Charlotte
My experience with Across the Pond was wonderful! My adviser always responded to my e-mail in a quick span of time and encouraged me to what schools would be best for the experience I was looking for. She would help to look over my personal statements as well as give me any advice on how to further better my application. She was extremely helpful and honestly without her and Across the Pond the application process would have been so much harder.
